A TOP Tory official found dead at Glastonbury was unfazed by claims he criticised his party, colleagues said last night.

Prime Minister David Cameron led tributes yesterday for West Oxfordshire Conservative Association chairman Christopher Shale, 56, after he was found dead at the music festival.

The senior member of Mr Cameron’s Witney constituency, who lived near Chipping Norton, was found dead in a portable toilet in the backstage area, where a host of celebrities and performers stay.

Last night the cause of his death was not yet known.

Mr Shale, who was quoted in a Mail on Sunday article yesterday on the difficulties his party faced in recruiting new members, was discovered by officers shortly after 9am.

Mr Cameron said he and his wife Samantha were devastated to hear the news about Mr Shale, the chief executive of Oxford Resources Ltd, a cost reduction company based in Chipping Norton.

He said: “He was a great friend and has been a huge support over the last decade in West Oxfordshire.

“A big rock in my life has suddenly been rolled away. Christopher was one of the most truly generous people I’ve ever met – he was always giving to others, his time, his help, his enthusiasm and above all his love of life.

“It was in that spirit that he made a massive contribution to the Conservative Party both locally and nationally.

“Our love and prayers are with Nikki (Mr Shale’s wife) and the family. They have lost an amazing dad, West Oxfordshire has lost a big and wonderful man and like so many others Sam and I have lost a close and valued friend.”

Barry Norton, Tory agent for the Witney constituency and leader of West Oxfordshire District Council, said: “Everyone in the party locally and nationally will be shocked and saddened by this.

“He has been enthusiastic and hard-working for the constituency association – full of energy – and will be sadly missed.

“Our thoughts are now with his wife Nikki and their three children at this sad time.”

Mr Norton said he had spoken to Mr Shale at 12.30pm on Saturday, adding: “He was enjoying himself with his family at Glastonbury and was very happy.

“We discussed the Mail on Sunday article – he knew it was coming out and took it in his stride. He wanted the party to be more attractive so that people would come and join it.”

David Harvey, cabinet member for environment at West Oxfordshire District Council, and leader of the Conservative group on Witney Town Council, said he had worked closely with Mr Shale.

He added: “I found him to be extremely gracious, very intelligent and the sort of person for whom no task was too daunting. He will be remembered by many people for his kindness, courtesy and consideration.”

Mr Harvey said Mr Shale took over as chairman of the West Oxfordshire Conservative Association earlier this year, after supporting the party in the constituency for the past 10 years.

Mr Shale was previously chief executive of SGL Communications. He is listed on the website of eurosceptic thinktank OpenEurope as a supporter and was a director of the Centre for Policy Studies.

Avon and Somerset Police issued a statement yesterday which said: “At about 9am police were alerted to a body having been found in an inter-stage area of the festival site.

“The man is believed to be in his 50s. Officers are currently working to establish the circumstances leading up to the man’s death, which at this stage is being treated as unexplained.”

Despite earlier reports to the contrary, a police source said ongoing investigations suggested the death was not suicide.

Festival officials also said privately that it was not believed that Mr Shale had taken his own life.